Leroy John Lanoue

Leroy Lanoue was born on June 23, 1932, in Marshall, Minnesota, the son of Eldred and Jeanette (Boudreau) Lanoue.  He graduated from Marshall High School in 1951. Leroy was united in marriage to Donna Ausen on April 12, 1951 at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley. Together they had six children: Michael, Patricia, Timothy, Terry, Todd, and Luann. They raised their family in Fulda for 12 years before moving to Anoka where they purchased Peterson Brothers Sanitation.  In 1976, the couple purchased the Surprise Resort on Lake Carlos in Alexandria. They spent their summers there and ran this resort for many years; later the resort became a family gathering place that to this day, their kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren enjoy.  In 1988, Leroy and Donna purchased Pope County Sanitation in Glenwood, and in 1995 they moved to Alexandria to live at their summer home. In the winter months, Leroy and Donna enjoyed going to Mesa, Arizona where they made many friends. Donna died on February 29, 2008, in Mesa.

During Leroy’s lifetime, he bought and sold over thirty different businesses including bowling alleys, bars, restaurants, truck stops, gas stations, and garbage companies.  He even tried his hand at raising pigs. His most notable and last venture was Pope County Sanitation, which he bought in 1988 and grew to expand to the Alexandria area.

In his spare time, Leroy enjoyed playing pool, cards, hunting and fishing with the boys, and spending time outdoors. Leroy will be remembered as a generous man, a hard worker and someone who was always looking to make a deal. He had a sense of humor and enjoyed teasing people and making jokes. Overall, he loved his family deeply.

Leroy Lanoue died peacefully on Friday, June 9, 2023 with his family by his side.  He is survived by his sons: Timothy (Norma) of Nelson, Terry (Patty Freeman) of Mesa, Todd (Kristi) of Glenwood; daughters: Patricia Paciorek (Steve Kohrt) of Fridley, Luann (Gene) Gibson of Nelson; 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Joyce (Roger)Ausen, Audrey (Laten) Ausen, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; son, Michael; brothers: Merlin & Arnold; sister, Rada; and his grandsons Josh and Jason.